Parade to honor Little League stars set for Saturday

VISTA —— It's the party that never ends. The city of Vista is
expecting thousands of people at a downtown parade Saturday morning
that will fete the Rancho Buena Vista Little League All-Stars,
whose performance recently in the Little League World Series has
led to appearances at school assemblies and two major league
ballparks —— even a trading card is in the works.

The team enjoyed a 24-game winning streak and made it to the
U.S. Championship Game, before falling 6-1 to Ewa Beach, Hawaii,
which went on claim the series title. The Vista team lost only one
game and ended the series with a ranking of third in the world.

Though the players returned home Aug. 29, the memories are still
fresh in the minds of players, parents and coaches.

"This whole experience has just wowed us," said Linda Gibney,
whose son, Dan, is an outfielder on the team. "They're tired, but
by no means exhausted. They're all 12 years old and full of
energy."

Gibney said her son, for one, was looking forward to seeing the
local faces that helped support the team at the parade, which is
being organized by the city and supported by the Vista Chamber of
Commerce, Vista Optimist club and Vista Village Business
Association.

The chamber's executive director, Jim Baumann, said he expects a
crowd that will rival or surpass the 10,000 usually present
downtown for the holiday parade, and that he has received calls
from people all over the county who want to help honor the
team.

"The media coverage is incredible —— we'll have six TV stations
there," Baumann said. "It sounds like people are coming from all
over to see these kids and get their autographs. Everybody's
pitching in because it's a once-in-a-lifetime event."

The parade will begin at 9 a.m. at the corner of South Santa Fe
and Broadway.

The players will cruise through downtown Vista in a procession
of convertibles, along a route that runs down Broadway Street,
Citrus Avenue and Main Street, before coming to an end in front of
the Krikorian Theatres in Vista Village.

The U.S. Marine Corps Band will march in the parade, along with
the Helix High School Pipe Band, local cheerleaders, dance teams, a
color guard and a fire truck.

Randy Jones, a San Diego Padres broadcaster and former Cy Young
Award-winning pitcher, will also participate, marching along with
the Padresí friar mascot and the Pad Squad.

After the downtown procession, Jones will emcee a team
recognition ceremony outside the Krikorian Theatres, and the
All-Stars will sign autographs after the ceremony until about 11:30
a.m.

The Little League will sell souvenir items at the parade
including shirts, balls and posters, with proceeds donated to
victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The city will offer a free parking shuttle beginning at 8:15
a.m. from the County Courthouse parking lot at 325 S. Melrose
Dr.

Baumann said chamber is spending several thousand dollars on
sound equipment, while the city will pay employees to work overtime
for the event.